Dewey Beer & Food Co. says thank you

By Clinton Bunting | Mar 13, 2014

The owners of the Dewey Beer & Food Co., Clinton Bunting, Brandon Smith, Mike Reilly and Chef Bill Clifton want to thank the commissioners of the Town of Dewey Beach and the planning commission for their positive votes on the ordinance to allow the start up of our brew pub restaurant. We want to express a special thank you to Mayor Hanson, Commissioner Riordan and Commissioner Jasinski for taking the time to understand the benefits this new business will bring to year round and seasonal residents alike.

Additionally we want to thank planning commission members Seitz, Gritti, Dedes, Harmer, and particularly David King. Through numerous hours of unpaid service Mr. King and his fellow commission members researched the brew pub business model and it’s legal applicability under the Dewey Beach Zoning Code to make a well informed, educated decision. Together the planning commission and town commissioners crafted an ordinance that is both legal and protects the interests of the town, while providing the parameters for a successful business.

As a year round resident of Dewey Beach and a multigenerational Sussex Countian, I can truly appreciate the changes our town has experienced and the challenges it has in front of it. Some of those challenges include excessive alcohol consumption during the summer months and resulting poor behavior, public safety and the peaceful respect for the residential neighborhoods they so much deserve. Dewey Beer and Food Co. believes based upon numerous brew pub examples throughout the nation, including a great one in our own backyard, Dogfish Head-Rehoboth, that we will be a community-oriented family-friendly business that will improve the quality of life in Dewey.

Unfortunately, during this process several citizens and specifically members of the group Citizens to Preserve Dewey made grossly false and inaccurate statements regarding our proposed business and brew pubs in general. We respect CPD’s right to oppose our project and we believe their organization can be a positive influence for the town, but it is unethical to purposely mislead in an effort to scare people and influence votes. In the future we hope CPD works in a positive manner to improve the town and to ensure it’s support or opposition is based on true, honest applicable facts.

The Dewey Beer & Food Co. is excited to open at the former Theo’s/Bubbas property across from The Starboard this summer. We hope our affordable farm to table food and craft beer exceeds your expectations. Please keep an eye out for future announcements on our exact opening date. We can’t wait to give you a taste!